In the games

Hanbei and Kanbei do not appear at all during The Legend of Ransei, making their first appearance during Hideyoshi's story: Happily Ever After. With their help, Hideyoshi eventually brings Ransei together as one peaceful nation.

Warlord information

Rank I

Rank II

Transforms to Rank II by reaching a 60% link with Pikachu or Raichu while Kanbei is in the same kingdom.

Quotes

Start of turn:

With low health:

"???"

Otherwise:

"<Pokémon's name>, <move's name>!"

Start of battle:

When attacking a castle:

"Let's do this before I fall asleep."

When defending a castle:

"Your luck has just run out."

During battle:

"Hey, <Pokémon's name>, I've been thinking. The thing about battles is... They'd be a lot better if you could win them in your sleep, don't you think?"

When ordering to attack:

"Right then! Let's wrap this up quickly, shall we?"

Upon forming a link:

"Yup! I formed a link! C'mon, <Pokémon's name>—let's go!"

Upon finding a Perfect Link:

"Pikachu/Raichu... There's something about you that's a little bit different from other Pokémon I've met. D'ya get me? I feel as though I'd be way more energetic if you were around, Pikachu/Raichu! Probably. Anyway, let's be friends!"

When Pikachu evolves when Hanbei is at Rank II:

"Now I sense an even greater power than we had before, Raichu. You feel it too, right? Let's stay friends, Raichu!"

When using an item:

"Use my <item>!"

When using his Warrior Skill:

"Fact is, I'm a genius!"

After winning a battle:

If he attacked a castle:

"Well, everyone knew before we started that I was gonna win, right?"

If he defended a castle:

"I'm busy too, you know. I don't have time to waste doing this."

After evolution:

"Hey, I thought so! Yeah, you look pretty good like that!"

When bandits steal a rare item:

Yes:

"Why?! Why did this happen? Well guess we've no chouice but to get 'em back! C'mon, <Pokémon's name>!"

No:

"???"

When a rare Pokémon appears in a kingdom:

"This could be a good chance, you know! Well, there's no harm in trying, anyway."

"Three cheers for Lord Kanbei! You did it, my lord. Looks like we work well together, eh? Two geniuses are pretty tough to stop."

"Hey, now... I don't want to talk about that. I just wanted to see what you were really capable of, Lord Kanbei! I wanted to see you...smile!"

"What? Come on, man! There are times when it's all right to smile, you know! Times like this!"

"You're just way too uptight, Lord Kanbei! But I guess you're not going to change. Okay, what's our next mission...?"

Profile

A genius with truly astonishing brainpower and a confidence that doesn't quite fit his appearance, his dream is to spend every day sleeping.

Historical origin

Hanbei is based on the real-life Takenaka Shigeharu of Japanese history, who was also known by the name "Hanbei" (半兵衛). He was an expert tactician who successfully executed an uprising against the Saitō clan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was so impressed by Shigeharu's strategy, he invited him to join his army as a strategist.

Trivia

Hanbei has the lowest Power of any Warlord. This is likely a reference to his historical counterpart having tuberculosis, an illness that killed him midway through his life. He is also alluded to be sick during the end of his story, The Reluctant Genius.